The Compleat Melancholick: Being a Sequence of ‘Found, Composite, and Composed’ Poems, based largely upon Robert Burton’s The Anatomy of Melancholy, by Lewis Turco.
Designed and printed by Gerald Lange. Handset in Monotype Plantin and letterpress printed on Mohawk Letterpress Text paper. The gray-blue paste paper covers were produced by Gregor Campbell and quarter bound in boards at The Campbell-Logan Bindery. Issued in an edition of 150 numbered copies signed by the author.
Illustrated with a hand-colored woodcut, Melancholy, from the Augsburg Calendar (ca 1480).
A witty sequence of poems that have less to do with melancholy than with the joy that comes from using an evocative and poetic diction not ordinarily available to the 20th-century poet. Turco makes use of Burton’s language, placing phrases and whole passages in new contexts that are a delightful reflection on Burton and good new poems in themselves.—Choice
5 by 8 inches. 69 pages. 1985. $150.
This title is also available in a paperbound trade edition that was lithographically reproduced from letterpress proofs of the original limited fine press edition. $13.95.
